Flying machine



Feb. 27, 1923. v 1,446,797 F. HOFFNER FLYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 19215 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 27, 1-923. 1,446,7 97

F. HOFFNEIR FLYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1921 s shets-shet 5 f 11 11 oo o o i I 1! z 1.9

Patented Feb-2'7, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE. 4

FRANK HOFFNER, OE NAN'IICOKE, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLYING MACHINE.

Application filed December 19, 1921. Serial 1\To. 523,437.

this application is a flying machine, and

the invention aims to provide a flying machine which is so constructedthat it will take up very little space, measured horizontally, themachine, therefore being adapted to be operated in restricted placeswhere an ordinary plane would be useless.

The invention aims, further, to provide a flying machine of thehelicopter type, having means whereby components may be resolved out ofthe lifting force, thereby to move the machine forwardly or laterally.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and toenhance the utility of devices of that type to which the inventionappertains.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows in rear elevation, a device constructedin accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a top plan; Figure. 3 is avertical longitudinal section wherein parts appear in elevation.

In carrying out the invention there is I provided a frame 1 ofconsiderably greater height than width, the frame beingwider at itsupper end than at its lower end. A cab 2 is mounted, on the frame 1, aninternal combustion engine 3 being disposed on the frame 1, within thecab. The radiator for the internal combustion engine 3 is denoted by thenumeral 4 and is located in the front of the cab 2, the fuel tank beingshown beveled pinions 8.v A seat 10 is disposed within the cab 2 and isso located that the occupant can control the engine 3 readily. Bearings11 are mounted on the upper end of the frame 1, and in the bearings 11,

a shaft 12 is journaled for rotation, the

Liftshaftbeing disposed parallel to the line of advance of the craft,the line of advance being indicated by the arrow A in Figure 3. A rudder14 is secured to the shaft 12 and is dlsposed parallel to the line of advance. The shaft 12 has a depending arm 15 connected by a link 16 to thearm 17 of .Iangers 21 depend from the top portion i of the frame 1, asshown best in Figure 1,

and in the hangers there is journaled a shaft 22, disposed at rightangles to the line of advance of the craft. The shaft 22 carries arudder 23 disposed at right angles to the line of advance of the craft.There is an arm 24 on the shaft 22, the arm' being connected by a link25 to an arm 26 on a shaft which is journaled in bearings 27 mounted onthe upper, end of the engine -3,the shaft carrying a hand wheel28,which, like'the lever 18, is readily accessible from the operatorsseat 10. v v

In practical operation, motion is transmitted from the engine 3 by itsshaft 9 to the shafts 5, through the instrumentality of the beveledpinions 8. If the rudder 23 and the rudder 14 are each in a verticalposition, the craft will rise vertically. If the rudder Figure 3, or inFigure 1, then the craft will tend to move in a direction indicated bythe arrow B in Figure 1, the rudders, each, resolving out ofthe forcewhich tends to lift the craft, a component -which will move the craftlaterally, or forwardly and backwardly as. hereinbefore described. 4

It is obvious that motion may be trans: mitted to the rudder 14 by meansof the shaft 12, the arm 15, the link 16, the lever arm 17, and thelever 18. Similarly, the wheel28 and its shaft, the arm 26, the link 25,the arm 24 and the shaft 22 transmit motion to the rudder 23.

Having thus described the invention,-what is claimed is In a flyingmachine, a frame in-the form of an inverted frusto-tetragonal pyramid;an engine mounted onthe lower portion Of a lever 18 fulcrumed on theside of the in- '23 be swung from the position shown in Figof the frameand located at right angles to a plane passing through the propellershafts; a rudder located to the rear of the frame and carried by thefirst rudder shaft in parallel relation to the axis of said shaft; asecond rudder shaft j ournaled on the frame and located below butclosely adjacent to the first rudder shaft, the second rudder shaftbeing disposed at right angles tothe first rudder shaft and in alinementwith the propeller shafts; a rudder located within the frame and carriedb the second rudder shaft in parallel relation to the axis of saidshaft; means for operating the rudder shafts from an inferior point; andlifting propellers carried by the propeller shafts and overhanging theframe, the propellers being spaced to expose the rudders.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK HOFFNER.

Witnesses STEPHEN MARKIEWIGZ, EDWARD GLOYPUBST.

